Into the Olympics: the ESSEC community at the Games

Sporting excellence and community spirit: Paris 2024 is set to deliver an unforgettable event. Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024, and Amélie Oudea-Castera, French Minister of Sports, both alumni of ESSEC, epitomize the school’s commitment to this global event. Beyond these prominent figures, countless ESSEC community members are diligently working behind the scenes to ensure the success of the Games. Meet some of these passionate contributors and explore the diverse roles they play in bringing this grand event to life.

Charles Rozoy

Participant in the ESSEC General Management program

Charles Rozoy, French Paralympic swimming champion, is playing an active role at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. As a commentator for French National broadcaster France Télévisions, he will provide analysis of the swimming events, sharing his expertise and passion with viewers. Additionally, Charles will participate in the Marathon Pour Tous (Marathon for all), a unique race open to 20,024 runners, offering a memorable experience for all involved. His candidacy, endorsed by France, for the International Paralympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission underscores his dedication to supporting and advocating for French athletes. Beyond his roles at the Games, Charles continues to inspire through conferences and talks at schools and businesses, where he shares his personal journey and promotes inclusion through sport.

We all have a role to play in promoting the Paralympic Games: watch them, take an interest in parasports, talk about them around you. This event can really change perspectives and bring lasting social benefits.

Charles Rozoy

Charles reflecting on the importance of the Paralympic Games

Meïssa Fall

Strategy Officer at ESSEC Business School

Meïssa Fall, a Strategy Officer at ESSEC, is a volunteer at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. At the Main Press Center (MPC), he will be responsible for welcoming journalists, providing essential information, translating whenever needed, and facilitating interactions between ’Paris 2024’ and accredited media. Inspired by the stories of volunteers from the London 2012 Olympics, Meïssa was motivated by the desire to experience a once-in-a-lifetime event. He values the Olympic motto ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius,’ symbolizing continuous improvement. ‘The feeling of being useful and part of something bigger, contributing to a greater mission brings me immense satisfaction,’ he says. Meïssa views this experience as an opportunity to step out of his comfort zone and grow, both on a personal and professional level.

The Olympic Games are a unique opportunity to experience moments of solidarity and to push your own limits.

Meïssa Fall

Meïssa reflecting on the significance of the Games

Cécile Martin

Project manager in charge of preparing the Olympic Games for the Ministry of Employment

Since August 2020, Cécile Martin has been instrumental in maximizing the impact of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games on employment. At the DGEFP, she has led major initiatives to anticipate, operationalize, and create a lasting post-Games legacy. These efforts include implementing an action plan with 19 professional sectors, organizing sector-specific working groups, and promoting employment and essential skills. She oversaw a prospective study on employment needs for the Games and coordinated innovative recruitment operations. Her primary challenge is to address the demand for qualified personnel critical to ensuring the success of the Games in understaffed sectors, such as private security.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games are a unique opportunity to showcase sports professions and the commitment of volunteers, and to accelerate the evolution of the sports sector towards a much-needed modernization.

Cécile Martin

Cécile reflecting on the significance of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

Diane Nkweya

Events Project Manager, ESSEC Business School Communications Department

Diane Nkweya, a sports enthusiast and events project manager, is set to take on the role of Bus Host Coordinator at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. In this capacity, she will be responsible for guiding and assisting VIP guests, ensuring they have a seamless and memorable Olympic experience. A former volleyball player, Diane views this role as a natural progression in her career, leveraging her multilingual skills and adaptability to meet the challenges. She is eager to grow both personally and professionally through this unique opportunity.

The Olympic Games are an exciting opportunity to embrace values such as determination, equality, and courage, while celebrating sportsmanship and cultural diversity.

Diane Nkweya

Diane reflecting on the significance of the Games

Noémie Claret

EMEA Sports Marketing and Brand Partnerships Senior Lead at Sales Force

Graduating from ESSEC in 2006 with a specialization in Sports Marketing, Noémie Claret has dedicated her career to the sports industry, contributing behind the scenes to five Olympic Games, both summer and winter. Now at Salesforce, the global leader in data management solutions, she was recruited to optimize the partnership between Salesforce and the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Her responsibilities include uniting teams around the partnership and implementing marketing and business strategies. With her experience at Havas Sports & Entertainment (now Havas Play) and her involvement in the Paris Olympic bid, Noémie brings invaluable expertise and strategic vision to the Games’ organization.

I hope it will be a resounding success, showcasing images of inclusion with role models and icons who can bring people together and project an inclusive image of France.

Noémie Claret

Noémie reflecting on the upcoming event

Samia Morejon

Recruiter for international online programs

Samia Morejon, who recently joined the recruitment team for online programs, is about to play a vital role as a volunteer at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. A resident of Clichy, the town that has the honor of hosting the British Olympic Association's performance center at the Lycée René Auffray, Samia will be assigned to the “performance lodge”, where she will oversee the preparation and smooth running of British athletes' stays. Her tasks will range from decorating the rooms to managing the logistics of the sports equipment.

For 10 days, Samia will take care of tasks such as filling fridges with bottles of water, decorating rooms and preparing areas for the field hockey and boxing athletes. These tasks, although basic, are crucial to ensuring the comfort and performance of the athletes. This unique opportunity, made possible by her English language skills, enables her to become actively involved in this major international event, and to contribute in her own way to the success of the Olympic Games.

Participating in the Olympic Games as a volunteer is an opportunity of a lifetime. It allows me to be part of something bigger than myself and to be part of history.

Samia Morejon

Samia reflecting on the significance of the Games

Nicolas Macé

Visa Global Sponsorship, Paris 2024 Games Program Director

Nicolas Macé, an ESSEC business school alumnus from the class of 2010, is a seasoned expert in sponsorship. Having worked with major brands such as Coca-Cola, Nissan, and currently Visa, he has played pivotal roles in significant events like the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, and UEFA Champions League. For this Parisian sports enthusiast, the Paris 2024 Games represent a lifelong ambition, and he has dedicated the past five years to this unique project. As the Program Director of the Paris 2024 Games for Visa, Nicolas is tasked with solidifying Visa’s role as a global partner and ensuring the company’s strategic objectives are met, making the Games accessible to as many people as possible.

The Olympic Games are not just a sporting event; they’re a unique opportunity to unite people and cultures from around the world.

Nicolas Macé

Nicolas reflecting on the importance of the event

Matthew Gibb

Director of International Relations at ESSEC Business School

For Matthew Gibb, carrying the Olympic flame is an immense honor – one he has had the privilege of experiencing twice. As Director of International Relations at ESSEC, he sees numerous parallels between his professional mission and the values of the Olympic Games. Proudly representing ESSEC while relaying the flame, which represents the spirit of peace and inclusion. Selected for his community involvement and passion for sport, he is an avid marathon runner, having completed 75 marathons worldwide. His role exemplifies the shared values of peace, cultural diversity, and excellence championed by both the Games and ESSEC.

The torch relay is a powerful symbol of peace and unity, reflecting the same values that higher education must promote: openness, respect, and cultural diversity.

Matthew Gibb

Matthew reflecting on the significance of the event

Natalia JAIME

Recruitment Manager at ESSEC Business School

Natalia Jaime, Head of Recruitment at ESSEC Business School, will volunteer at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Assigned to the cycling and marathon events, she will ensure the competitions run smoothly, using her days off for this five-day mission. A former competitive swimmer, Natalia views this as a unique opportunity to contribute to a global event in her city. For this young woman of Mexican descent, sports embody the discipline and perseverance her coaches instilled in her. She looks forward to meeting athletes and immersing herself in this international adventure. Reflecting on her participation, Natalia says, ‘Volunteering at the Olympics is a unique opportunity. I’m thrilled to experience this in my city, meet people from all over the world, and contribute to this extraordinary event!’